Here’s David Bowie performing as Ziggy Stardust, in his ‘woodland creatures’ costume 1972. This outfit was purchased by Bowie in London at one of Kansai Yamamoto’s boutiques. This was the birth of a great fashion relationship between the rock star and the designer. Bowie watched a video of a rock-fashion show that Yamamoto had staged in Japan, and fell in love with the costumes- a combination between modern si-fi and classical Kabuki style. Bowie then scheduled to meet Yamamoto in New York where he gifted Bowie with 2 new costumes, that were worn  during Bowie’s 2nd world tour.Yamamoto was commissioned to create 9 more costumes based on the traditional Japenese Noh dramas. The costumes were flamboyant, androgynous Ziggy Stardust costumes that were worn by Bowie during the 3rd UK tour in 1973.Before designing for Bowie, Yamamoto was a successful fashion designer. He opened his first boutique in Tokyo in 1968 and eventually expanded worldwide. He held his first fashion show in 1971, in London at the age of 27.Since his last collection for fall/winter 1992, Kansai has lent his name to licensed products ranging from eyeglasses to tableware. His fashion show spectaculars have become the framework for the grand Kansai Super Shows, the first of which was held in Moscow’s Red Square in 1993. Others held since in Japan, Vietnam, India, and Berlin have drawn audiences in the hundreds of thousands.

Kabuki stage costume called ‘Rites of Spring’ and or ‘Spring Rain’. Currently on display at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleavland OH.

Via: The Ziggy Stardust Companion

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